Benefit gives back to Syracuse music scene leader Eric "Will" McLean

Local guitarist Eric "Will" McLean was always the first person to help anyone in need and now his fellow musicians are coming together to return the favor. On Sunday, November 17, Will's friends and fellow musicians will hold a benefit at the Cicero American Legion from noon to 6 p.m. The event will raise funds to help pay Will's hospital bills following his cardiac arrest at a show in March.

Will has been active in the Central New York music scene for over 50 years. He is the guitarist and leader of The Southern Comfort Band, which he founded in 1986. Freelance journalist Kevin Corbett spoke of his influence, citing his work both in Nashville with other country musicians and of his leadership in the Syracuse music scene.

"Eric's longevity says a lot about him," Corbett said. "He's a terrific guitar player, and he knows how to adapt to the taste of an audience."

"He plays requests before they request it," Corbett said. "He'd see me at a show, and he knew I loved his band's version of Merle Haggard's 'Mama Tried', so he'd play it."

Will is more than a skilled musician, having been a major advocate for other up-and-coming Syracuse bands. Will co-founded and produced the Homegrown Music Radio Network in 1995, and hosted the weekly television show "Rhythmz" to give recognition to local talent. One of those local talents is Will's own bandmate, Ray Hare, who credits Will for starting his career.

"I was an aspiring guitarist and singer, and he kind of brought me out of my shell," Hare said. "He's been instrumental as far as that goes. He's helped out more entertainers than I can even think of."

But beyond giving musicians their first chance for exposure, Will was also the leader when organizing benefits for his friends.

"Eric's always the very first one to step up for somebody who needs help, not just musicians," Hare said. "Whether it's a family member or a friend of a friend, he'll play for anyone."

Corbett agreed. "Several years ago, when the musician Charlie Fay was dying of cancer, Eric organized a benefit," Corbett said. "Or if a musician died, Eric called me and a few other people to get a story about it in the paper."

Hare organized Will's benefit in September after several protestations from his friend.

"Eric kept putting it off, saying he didn't want one," Hare said. "But so many friends and musicians wanted to, so we told him to sit back and let us do one for him."

Hare says that Will is recovering, and hoped that the benefit would raise enough to help ease the load of his hospital bills.

He also said that the band hoped that he would be well enough to play a couple of songs at the benefit, and that he might be ready to play regularly again in March.

"It's a little like the movie 'It's a Wonderful Life'," Corbett said. "The man spends his whole life being a friend to everyone, and when he needs help, his friends come together for him."